NVQ is short for National Vocational Qualifications. This is specifically vocational training that is meant to prepare students for a number of working environments and experience on work-related standards. To attain an NVQ, applicants should verify that they are skilled and able to complete their task to the requisite standard. NVQs are rooted in National Occupational Standards that explain the ‘competencies’ anticipated in any specified job responsibility. Normally applicants will work towards NVQ courses that display their responsibility in a paid or unpaid position.

NVQ Courses Information

NVQs are nationally accepted qualifications and they mainly demand students to have been previously employed, whether it is full time, part time or even unpaid. The applicable courses are prepared around a particular responsibility, hence the better understanding of the requirements of employers. However NVQ courses do not consist of any entry requirements.

Students are classically assessed for their ability before being assigned a ‘level’. There are generally a range of one to five levels. Level 1 is considered for total beginners and level 5 is for senior management (or corresponding).

Each NVQ level normally requires a year to accomplish and support is given all through but the student can take as much time as desired. Some of the most known such courses include social care and health, commerce support skills, plumbing, hairdressing and media linked subjects.

There is enough flexibility on where to accomplish each training course. Some allow lecturers to tutor in the office itself and some involve presence at a participating centre. Additionally online courses are growing in recognition since the internet is capable of providing an acceptable lecturer/student setting with webcams required to watch students finishing assignments.

Assessment occurs by assignments being done in view of an NVQ Evaluator and certificate is then produced and confirmed by the Awarding Organization. The advantages of having accomplished and gone through the course are immense. Employers are pleased that potential employees consist of actual hands on knowledge and their ability to strike the ground running. This is against those with GCSE and A-Level qualifications who may lack necessary abilities that may require months to perfect.

There is also the student’s point of view of the operating environment in that after accomplishing the course, they realize precisely what to expect. For instance, NVQ courses former students applying for a care assistant’s job are more expected to stay in their employment rather than being weighed down with the daily responsibilities that a written exam may not have equipped them for.

Completing an NVQ in Hospitality is ideal for those people who are looking to forge a career in either hospitality or catering, arguably one of the fastest growing industries in the United Kingdom. Like most NVQ’s, there are three different levels for the qualification and you can take the course as far as you want, although ideally you would complete all three levels.

About NVQ Hospitality

There are a number of different NVQs that you can complete depending on which area of hospitality that you wish to specialise in. Therefore much thought will need to be placed into choosing which course is going to be right for you. The majority of colleges should offer all of the NVQ in Hospitality, although it is still worth finding out if your chosen area does.

In order to become registered on a Level 1 NVQ in Hospitality you generally will not need any experience. Many colleges may have ‘minimum’ entry requirements however, for example, at least a pass in English and Mathematics, however this is not set in stone, and thus it is worth getting in touch with your chosen college to see if they will make an exception for you. Both Level 2 and Level 3 NVQ in Hospitality (all of the courses) will require that you have either completed Level 1, been in employment in the industry for a while, or perhaps you feel as though you are in a position to jump straight into a higher level.

As mentioned previously, the NVQ in Hospitality that you complete will depend on the area of hospitality that you wish to enter into. As you may already know, the basics for the course are covered in Level 1, and that means the courses will be very general (i.e. food service, accommodation, drink service and hospitality services). It isn’t until you get to Level 2 where the courses are split down even further, and it is at this point you will need a fairly decent idea about the career that you wish to pursue in the industry. All of the qualifications however will assist you in gaining jobs in the industry.

Many NVQ Courses can be administered whilst on the job, whilst others can be completed in a college environment. If you are looking to complete an NVQ in hospitality it is worth checking whether your current place of work is able to assist you in the studying towards your NVQ, although do bear in mind that a qualified assessor will need to be at your place of work in order to award you with the qualification. For this reason it is normally only the ‘larger’ companies which have a dedicated apprenticeship scheme in place which will enable you to obtain an NVQ whilst on the job.

Hospitality Training Audience

If you are looking to get into the hospitality industry then completing one of the many NVQ in Hospitality is perhaps one of the best decisions that you could possibly make. Plenty of colleges will offer this course around your area, so why not get in touch with one of them?

NVQ Hospitality Levels

The following levels are available for this NVQ:

• NVQ Hospitality Level 1
• NVQ Hospitality Level 2
• NVQ Hospitality Level 3

A plumber is one of the most ‘in demand’ jobs available in the UK at the moment, and therefore it comes as no surprise that more and more people are heading into the industry. However, like all ‘well paid jobs’ it does require a degree of skill, and that is what an NVQ in Plumbing will aim to teach you.

About NVQ Plumbing

The majority of colleges out there which offer NVQ courses will provide a course for plumbing, although it is worth checking. There are few entry requirements, and in fact many colleges don’t have any entry requirements, although a desire to work as a plumber is of course required. There are three levels to NVQ Plumbing, and you will need to complete all of them in order to become ‘qualified’.

The main aim of the Level 1 NVQ in Plumbing is to teach the potential plumber the basics about the industry. For example, during this course you will learn safety regulations and how to stay safe whilst at work. You will then move onto the basics of plumbing installations. The basics include carrying out repairs to piping systems, testing systems, installing household appliances and dealing with blockages. Once you have completed this section of the course you will be able to apply to work as a trainee plumber. All assessment is carried out in a ‘practical’ environment where your skills will be tested.

The Level 2 NVQ in plumbing looks to build upon the skills that you learned during Level 1, many people start to do this course whilst working as a trainee plumber, although you can still complete this in a college environment. Here you will learn important skills such as hot and cold water systems, weathering systems, installation of various different kinds of systems and various customer service skills. Again, the assessment will be carried out in a ‘practical’ environment where your skills on what you have been taught will be assessed.

In order to under the NVQ Level 3 in Plumbing you will need to be employed in the plumbing industry and hold an NVQ Level 2 in Plumbing qualification. This course looks at your ability to design systems, including cold water systems and hot water systems. You will also be tested to see whether you are able to maintain and diagnose problems within these systems. This is the stage where you begin to learn one of the most important functions of a plumber, installing boilers and central heating systems. In order to complete the NVQ Level 3 in Plumbing you will also need to obtain a Gas certification. The assessment of this position is carried out ‘on job’.

Plumbing Training Audience

This is just a brief overview of the NVQ in Plumbing. If you wish to find out any more information then you are urged to get in touch with your local college who should be able to help you out. Remember, you will need to complete an NVQ in Plumbing if you intend to work in the industry.

NVQ Plumbing Levels

The following levels are available for this NVQ:

• NVQ Plumbing Level 1
• NVQ Plumbing Level 2
• NVQ Plumbing Level 3

If you’re looking to become a fully qualified electrician in the Great Britain, then NVQ Electrical training is now a pre-requisite. In fact, to be able to call yourself fully qualified, you will need an NVQ Electrical Level 3 (or to give it it’s full name, an NVQ Level 3 in Electrotechnical Systems), or an equivalent qualification. The electrical NVQ can be taken as part of an apprenticeship or if you are already in another form of employment.

About NVQ Electrical

Depending upon the level of NVQ Electrical being taken, you will be given training and then assessed on some, or possibly all, of the following areas:

• Workplace Safety – The ability to safely undertake basic electrical tasks and to adhere to general health and safety work place regulations.
• Workplace Conduct and Handling – The ability to operate safely in your place of work and to stay compliant with any local guidelines and on-site rules, plus the safe handling of equipment and resources.
• Preparing for the installation of wiring systems and enclosures – The ability to prepare a work area for the subsequent installation of electrical systems and/or electrical equipment.
• Inspection and Testing – The preparation, inspection and testing of electrical connections and electrical systems in a safe and controlled manner.
• Maintenance – The planning and scheduling of electrical maintenance tasks
• Connecting Wire Systems – The correct way to connect wiring systems and electrical equipment so that it is compliant with the approved standards.

Electrical Training Audience

As the NVQ Electrical is a work based qualification, like all NVQs, you will need to be either working for an electrical company, be a self-employed electrician or be on a relevant apprenticeship scheme. Please note however that due to Health and Safety regulations, you will not be able to participate in NVQ Electrical training and exams if you are colour blind, due to the potential danger involved.

NVQ Electrical Levels

The following levels are available for this NVQ:

• NVQ Electrical Level 2
• NVQ Electrical Level 3